​When I think of being immersed in a different place or culture, it reminds me of my personal experience coming to United States. Before studying in the United States I lived in the south of France and studied in a French public high school. My habits and lifestyle were very different from the ones in the United States. I was really able to understand this when I was truly immersed in the American culture. Being immersed in a particular place or culture is something that requires effort and time. Indeed, before coming to Duke I would sometimes come to the United States during the summer. What really allowed me to understand the cultural differences was when I went to summer camps in Washington DC for several weeks. There I spent time with other adolescents and children. I spent my days interacting and learning from people that were born in a different culture. This learning process continued when I arrived to Duke and lived for two straight years with Americans.

When I look back and reflect on what allowed me to get immersed I realize that it has been living alone and forced to constantly interact with new individuals. I believe a mistake some people make when going to a new country is staying in their comfort zone. That is, staying in this new place with friends from home or not having any meaningful conversations with locals. It is also important to approach each new country or place with an open mind and realize that cultures and lifestyles are going to be different but that difference is what makes our world fascinating.

In Detroit, what has allowed me to immerse myself in this new place has been spending time with locals. I have learned a lot about the city and its history from my conversations with my co-workers. I have also greatly benefited from visiting the Detroit Institute or Art or the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. By understanding the past I believe it is easier to comprehend the present lifestyle and customs.

Being immersed in a different culture really allows us to be more tolerant and open-minded. It is a chance that we need to grasp whenever we visit a new place to make our visit as beneficial as possible.